Tall Trees T'ai ChI
Tai Chi Classes | Whitefield, ME
STRENGTH THROUGH SOFTNESS
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Judy Nielsen | T'ai Chi Teacher
(207) 350-6477
Classes are held in Whitefield, ME 04353
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LINEAGE
GRANDMASTER HSU FUN YUEN 1928-2018
My Master, Hsu Fun Yuen, was born on the east side of Che Hiang Province in the People’s Republic of China. He studied under the tutelage of Cheng Man-Ching. Professor Cheng was considered to be one of the greatest Tai Chi masters of modern times and instrumental in bringing T'ai Chi and Chinese philosophy to the west.
Having collected fighting forms from all over China, Master Hsu began teaching in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He founded the T’ai Chi Association in Taipei, Taiwan where membership grew to 10,000. He taught many weapons fighting forms as well as bare hands forms.
Master Hsu came to the States in 1977, living and teaching in New York and Miami, eventually settling in Chicago in 1978. He started the Hsu Fun Yuen T’ai Chi Academy in 1981. He is the author of T’AI CHI CHUAN, An Investigation into the Methods of Practice. (1992)
He was considered a Grandmaster which means he was highly regarded and selected by his peers.
JUDY NIELSEN
As is so often the case, a crisis turned into a blessing.
I began my t'ai chi journey after I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1986. I was very strong and in "great shape" as I was an aerobics teacher at the time. The 80's were about muscles and hardening up, wash board stomachs and buns of steel. Sclerosis means "hardening ", multiple means many. I was turning hard from the inside, starting with my nervous system. Plaque was forming on my brain and spinal column.
For me healing has come in learning to be present, to be yielding, to slow down, to be quiet. T'ai chi was the slowest and softest thing I could imagine. My practices of teaching aerobics, yoga, and jogging, all generated too much heat for my nervous system. Cooling off an inflamed nervous system required slowing down. My chiropractor introduced me to Master Hsu Fun Yuen in 1986. I studied for 6 years, 3 times a week. T'ai chi being a martial art, I began to learn to fight in slow motion. At the same time, I learned to relax and connect my body and mind to my breath.
My healing also required me to move out of my birthplace, the wonderful city of Chicago, and live closer to the natural world. Maine is where I have been for the last 35 years. During this time I have not needed any medication to treat the MS.
I have been teaching T'ai chi for 30 years. My nervous system has stopped attacking itself. I recognize T'ai chi practice as the reason for that. Slowing down and learning to fight was the medicine I needed.
I am also able to have a 25-year sitting meditation practice because T'ai chi has taught me the importance of the mind controlling the "chi", or breath.
The I Ching (Book of Changes) has been my support and guide since beginning T'ai chi.
Since Master Hsu's death in 2018, I have had the good fortune to study with Zhong Xuechao (Master Bing) who comes to Maine once a year to give instruction.
T'ai chi has taught me strength through softness. T'ai chi has taught me how to look inward and find the meaning and balance of the yin-yang principles.
TESTIMONIALS
Christine Correa
David Mc Hold, MD
David Mc Hold, MD
For me, practicing t’ai chi is an opportunity to step into a realm of perennial wisdom. The individual movements communicate directly to my cells encouraging them to function as best they can. The rational mind is allowed to rest once the form has been coded into muscle memory. Moving as the story of a particular t’ai chi form is a total
For me, practicing t’ai chi is an opportunity to step into a realm of perennial wisdom. The individual movements communicate directly to my cells encouraging them to function as best they can. The rational mind is allowed to rest once the form has been coded into muscle memory. Moving as the story of a particular t’ai chi form is a total joy. It is like watching a performance telling the story of life in a language of silence, stillness, and presence.
My hope is to carry the awareness I experience when emersed in the wisdom of t’ai chi into my daily life and the myriad of thoughts, words and deeds which comprise living in a body.
I would also like to mention how important the chi gung practice is to enter into the dance of T’ai chi. All of these movementsclean and smooth and soften the ten thousand threads around me
David Mc Hold, MD
David Mc Hold, MD
David Mc Hold, MD
I have practiced T’ai chi for a number of years with 5 teachers. My last teacher sent me to Judy Nielsen saying she is the best teacher I have ever known.
She teaches the forms of the Yang family and is skilled in sword, saber, and staff.
She is kind, patient, skilled and gentle as one should be in t’ai chi.
Her fees are modest for both group and private instruction Classes are 1 h
Paul Noah
David Mc Hold, MD
Paul Noah
T’ai chi, as taught to me by Judy Nielsen was how I rebuilt myself after I almost died from a ruptured appendix. Judy’s instruction made me feel better physically and mentally. If you want balance of calm on the inside and strength on the outside try t’ai chi.
Alex Vise
Priscilla Donham
Paul Noah
When I came to class I was immediately impressed with her vitality and sense of calm and well-being.
Judy taught t’ai chi form (64 Yang), sword, knife, staff, and a variety of Chinese forms. I was always impressed with her diligence to form and a concentration to flow, and not a critique of minor mistakes in movements.
Priscilla Donham
Priscilla Donham
Priscilla Donham
Judy is a lovely teacher; she does each movement with the student so they begin to get the connection and the flow and goes onto the next step with ease. It is quiet and peaceful. I have benefitted in balance and leg strength.
I would highly recommend others to work with Judy. This class is a real treat. Huge thanks!